Loves Excelling

“Mary!” Jesus said. She turned towards him and exclaimed, “Teacher!”

(John 20: 16 – NLT)

Names often created a particular association. We may name a child after a close friend because the mention of their name brings to mind all the good things we associate with their character. On the other hand there are names that bring negative associations – some might even dislike the mention of a name because of the negative character traits they bring to mind.

Read more »

“In all their suffering he also suffered”

(Isaiah 63: 9 – NLT)

Suffering pain and affliction are not attributes we readily associate with God when we consider his transcendent majesty. Despite our experience of the Father Heart of God, in which he reveals his sympathetic nature, we may still have a nagging feeling that he is in some way detached from our suffering and pain. Yet our Father God is revealed in this verse as one who not only sympathises with us in our suffering – but as one who suffers with us. How can this be?

Read more »

He (Jesus) was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards.”

(Paul – Hebrews 12 2 NIV)

 “For God  (The Father) was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them.”

(Paul – 2 Corinthians 5:19 – NLT)

What future joy could possibly be worth the incredible suffering and ignominy of death by crucifixion? There was no joy in heaven that Jesus did not already know – so this statement must mean something other than his anticipation of returning there. There can be no doubt therefore that the joy that Jesus and the Father anticipated – was you!

Read more »